In conversation with Sim Shagaya on Transforming Commerce and Education in Africa
Sim Shagaya is a celebrated Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and visionary leader in technology and education. He is best known as the founder of Konga, one of West Africa's largest e-commerce platforms, and uLesson, Africa's fastest-growing education technology company.
A graduate of the Nigerian Military School, Sim went on to earn a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University, followed by a Master's degree from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His global educational background and professional experience have significantly shaped his contributions across sectors in Nigeria and beyond.
Sim's early professional journey included a role at Rand Merchant Bank in South Africa and later as Head of Africa for Google, where he led strategic initiatives to expand Google's footprint across the continent. He went on to found E-Motion, a Lagos-based out-of-home advertising company, and later launched Deal Dey (2011), a pioneering daily deals platform, and Konga (2013), which integrated proprietary logistics and payment systems to become a dominant force in African e-commerce.
In 2019, Sim founded uLesson, an edtech platform that delivers high-quality, affordable learning content to secondary school students across Africa, Europe, and North America. The company has raised over $25 million in funding from leading investors such as TLcom Capital, Owl Ventures, Tencent, LocalGlobe, Founder Collective, and Nielsen Ventures, supporting the expansion of uLesson's mission to democratize access to education across Africa.
Building on this legacy, Sim launched Miva Open University in 2023, the first private Open and Distance Learning (ODL) university in Nigeria. Miva offers 18 accredited programs across four faculties and currently has over 25,000 enrolled students. As Founder and Chancellor, Sim continues to lead its mission to deliver accessible, flexible, and quality-driven education to learners nationwide. Miva was granted its operational license by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in May 2023 and represents a groundbreaking model for digital-first higher education in Nigeria.
Expanding his focus to financial inclusion, Sim also founded Myka, a digital-first insurance brokerage platform designed to simplify access to insurance for everyday Nigerians. Myka aims to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria by leveraging technology, distribution innovation, and customer education to move the market from historically low single-digit penetration toward more meaningful national coverage.
Throughout his career, Sim has received numerous recognitions. In 2013, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the CNBC/ All Africa Business Leaders Awards (West Africa). In 2014, he was honored as Leadership CEO of the Year at the Leadership Conference and listed by Forbes among the 10 Most Powerful Men in Africa.
Sim Shagaya's work continues to shape the future of commerce, education, and agriculture in Africa. With an unwavering belief in the power of innovation and access, he remains one of the continent's most influential and visionary leaders.
This event is hosted by the Executive MBA Programmes at Cambridge Judge Business School, Cambridge-Africa, and the King’s E-Lab.
WHEN: Tuesday, 7th July 2026
5.45 - 6.45 PM: Fireside chat and Q&A
WHERE: Chen-Tsao Lecture Theatre,. Cambridge Judge Business School
TICKETS: Find tickets here!
Please note that there will be photography and recording at this event.
Please find our code of conduct here.